Broken Backs

Another cause of death that is all too common in rabbits is a broken back. Rabbits, especially the dwarf breeds, have very fragile bodies and can very easily break their spines from kicking too hard, or from falling even a few feet. Once the rabbit's back is broken, typically the animal dies soon thereafter. If somehow the animal survives past the initial trauma, it is usually recommended that the animal be euthanized.

Usually, the vertebral damage is one of two things: a compression injury, or an actual break in the spine. The most obvious symptom of a broken back is a loss of control of the body from the break onward. This means the animal may not be able to urinate or defecate, and the animal usually loses control of its rear legs. These symptoms are incurable and permanent in almost all cases, although there are a few exceptions in animals with compression injuries.

Most of the time, treatments will not be successful. However, in theory the treatment could include corticosteroids to minimize swelling of the vertebral column. If the animal shows no visible signs of improvement after a week or so, the damage is most likely permanent and the animal should be put to sleep.

To prevent broken spines, always handle your rabbit safely and appropriately. Usually, the cause of a broken back is the rabbit being dropped by an incompetent handler. I also highly recommend keeping your rabbit on a wire-bottomed cage that provides traction, rather than a plastic bottomed cage. When a rabbit gets startled, it will panic and try to escape by running. If the rabbit is on slippery flooring, this will result in a loss of traction, which is dangerously likely to cause a broken back.

What is an important safety rule you always follow when handling rabbits? Tell us below in the comments section!